1864 December 26 Camp Near Winchester

Dearest Mother

Your last is received! We have just come
in from another long raid or ride down the Valley of about
one hundred and thirty miles, as soon as we arrived in camp
most of the boys received their mail of several letters each.
It almost gave me the blues to not get any, and I nearly
came close to the cracking thinking [?] on folks at home had forgotten
your "Soldier boy". There was four long weeks that I didn't
hear a word from any one; but on Christmas Eve the long
longed for missing came to hand; yours with the V. one from
James and Lizzie, one from Jennie and one from Mrs. Lent with a Hamilton
paper! I tell you they made me a good Christmas present. I
heard news enough to last me a week. I am feeling as
good as ever, and if anything a little better: The money you sent
was a god-send indeed. I had been without some time and had

[p.2]
to borrow a little: I would have had enough if I hadn't lent
$5.00 to A.L. Cunningham, he, by the way is absent from the Co.
and has not been heard from in several days; he is probably
in Winchester. The V. you sent came at an opportune
time. Yesterday (Christmas) I left the co. for a little
while. I went with Barnes out in the country where
he was acquainted, we had quite a visit with two
young ladies, who were most awfully secesh, but they
got us up a big dinner; it did seem strange indeed
to sit down and eat on croc[k]ery. On our last
we went quite a distance below New Market. we went
by the place where we had our second fight and where
we got whipped; there is a reb. hospital near the battlefield.
Mr. Erdman went in and learned from the surgeon that Wm. P.
Abbey was brought in the day of the fight but died the
next morning: poor Bill. he and I rode side by side most

[p.3]
of the day. it was quite cold, and I lent him the gloves you
sent me (reserving for myself a pair of buckskins I purchased at
Elmira; he was wounded through the left lung; the boys
carried him almost off the field, but the reb. infantry made
us hunt our holes so fast that they were obliged to leave
him; our co. was dismounted in the woods. I took command of the
horses, and there I was not in so much danger; but when
our boys retreated I was obliged to take the horses back to them;
one poor fellow says he owes his life to me; Passed Capt.
Remington as I went back with my horses; the bullets were
flying uncomfortably close, and when I returned the Capt. was
wounded; some of our boys had balls go through their clothes
and strike all about them. On our last raid down the
valley we went below New Market, and halted for the
night. we did some pretty tall foraging on the rebs, about
there, you son if he knows himself, procured all that

[p.4]
was necessary for him and his horse to eat; but, just after
reveille, and fortunately, after the boys had "saddled up"
the rebs broke through our picket line and charged right
into our camp in three columns; we were in our
saddles in a second, and ready for them: it did seem quite
amusing to me, to see those Jonnies come down on us, so
full of hope, but we never budged: They wavered, and
then it was our turn to charge, and with yells we "hurled
them back"' and I participated in my second Cav. charge.
They captured all of our artillery, and ambulances, and about
thirty of our boys , but we soon retook all, and fifty rebs
besides. They stripped our men and acted so mean that
some of our boys didn't take any prisoners. They drop[p]ed them.
Our boys are feeling quite discouraged about their commissions.
The Copperheads have been put in command, and they are privates.
They always have been. Write soon. From you affect. Son Hervey.

Letter accompanied with an envelope postmarked 6 Jan. Washington, D. C. and addressed to:
Mrs. Emily E. Goodrich
Fayetteville
Onon. co.
N.Y.


The "second fight" was the expedition to Lacey Springs as described in the Official Records. Brig. Gen. George A. Custer, Commanding Officer.

1864 December 13 Camp Russell

Dearest Mother
almost every boy
that hears from home, tells me that you
have not heard a word from me in a
great while now -- I know there must be
some mistake about it; as near as possible
I've tried to write to you and James once a
week; the letters may not reach you, but
I have written and sent them; last Saturday I wrote
to you both, it is now Wednesday, and I am at it
again, and I am going to direct this in such a
manner that I think it will reach you. in your
next please let me know if
you have yet receiv. mine
of last Saturday. It is not very convenient writing
this cold weather, or I would try to write longer
and oftener, and besides my paper, and money both
have given out entirely, and hence you see that
I labour under some disadvantages.
There is nothing of importance going on
[p.2]
here: our brigade is on the extreme right of the army
we are doing picket duty continually; once in a while
we are sent out on a raid or a reconnaissance;
we expect to go into Winter quarters every day --
but you know a Soldier lives in expectancy; we
have had some very cold weather within a day or
two; the inhabitants say that it has been the coldest
they have known in years. I have been
particularly busy for two days past. it has been
the time of our monthly issue of clothing, and the boys
required quite an amount; yesterday I went over
to the 22nd Cav. to see Herbert Lord. I had a pleasant
little visit, and what was better I got some bacon and
sugar: Herbert came over and I reciprocated the visit
last evening. we went up to mr. Chaplain Erdman's
tent, and together with Mitchell, had quite a little chat.
By the way, Erdman has received his Commission,
and is Chaplain of the 2nd N.Y. Cav. with the rank
of a Captain: while Mitchell, Morse, Bolster, Capt. Morse, and
Galliway, are nothing but privates, and were yesterday
relieved of their commands; They have had a great
deal of responsibility, have tried to do all the
work of forming, and regulating the Companies, all
this they have done for $18. per month.
[p.3]
We are to have a Lieut. Bell over our com.
The other Com's. have the Copperhead officers appointed
by Gov. Seymour. They have sent in their
resignations, and the other boys expect to be
mustered as officers "in a few days" but that
has been the saying every since we left home.
I believe I had rather have my position,
and labor and pay. then all of their expectations,
and expenses. I never felt better, nor so
well, in my life. I am as fat as ahog, and
still grow fatter, and cheeker. I tent with
Jessie Barnes: whose wife is being this Winter
with Julia Morse. I wish you would step up
there and tell her that Jessie is wanting to
hear from her. There is no news of any
importance to write, and as I am ordered up
to the Quarter Masters dept. on business I must
close. I will reiterate my requests, that you
would write soon and send a few small bags,
and about five dollars, in green backs.
From your affect. son
Hervey.

[the above letter is accompanied by an envelope addressed to:
Mrs. Emily E. Goodrich
Fayetteville
Onodaga Co.
N.Y.


Box 40

1864 December 3rd Camp Russell

Dearest Mother
Perhaps you
think (and with good reason too)
that I have become quite negligent
in writing to you of late; but if
you know all that we have been
through, and how busy we have been
since we came here at the front,
you would not wonder greatly at
it. We have been in two battles
on two raids, and on picket duty
every other day: besides this my
duties have been almost doubled
since our first fight. we lost two
Sergts. and hence I have had to do
besides what devolves upon me as Qr.
Mstr. Sergt., those also of a duty Sergt.
[p. 2]
We have just come in from a long
raid over into Western Virginia.
we crossed the Blue Ridge twice
and have been four days in the
mountain. Our division (the 3rd)
Gen. Custer's left here at 12 o clock
Monday night. we rode all night
through woods, mountains, across rivers,
and into ravines, and it was as black
as a Jacket, and you could hardly see
your hand before you: by morning
we were well among the mountains
of the Old Blue Ridge. and such
beautiful scenery I never saw before.
to see the sun rise among the peaks
in that high elevation, will well
pay one for a hard nights march --
In and about Lost River, the scenery
very romentic. There is a lofty
summit on one bank of the stream,
[p. 3]
and in the other one the wildest,
most rugged stratum of rocks I ever
saw. they throw Harpers Ferry completely
in the shade. Captain Vandecaarr and
other officers that knew said that they
over hang more than those at
Niagara Falls. one point was particularly
picturesque. There was just room enough
for the column to march between the
rocks and the river; a few feet up, and
painted in black paint was the words
"Lost River." some of the boys thought
it was no wonder the river got lost
in such a wild country. We left camp
with only two days rations, and was gone
four days. hence it was necessary to do
some very tall foraging. In one place, our
company alone froze on two hives of honey,
but we got pretty hungry for all of that.
Our division went out to act in
[p. 4]
conjunction with another that had gone
before, for the purpose of cooping five
thousand rebs. in the mountains, but
as usual they got wind of it and took
leg. Good many of our horses
played out, some of them cast shoes and
got lame, but my critter carried me
through bully. he is a gay horse, about the
best in the Com. A. L. Cunningham's horse
gave out, but it was more his fault than his
horse for he took no care of him; I have
lent him some money and he has not been
able to pay me yet. I am almost dead
broke, if you will send me five dollars
and trust me until A.L.C.
pays me I will be very much obliged.
You ask me if I have to go into battle?
I have been in both the fights we have
had: by strict military law I would be
obliged to go into action but it is customary for
the Qt. Mstr. & Comissary Sergts. to remain in the
rear. It is all very well to talk of being brave
and of displaying valor, but old soldiers tell
me "It's played out." for these rebs do shoot strait
if I can save any bullets holes I propose
to do so.
[written in side margin on page 3:]
If you do not hear from me quite as often or so regularily as before do not
be at all anxious, for Mosby often intercepts the mail between here and the Ferry.
[written in side margin on page 2:]
On the 26th I supose I was entitled to vote for Abe Lincoln or "any other man."
when Uncle Noble returns please make the necessary settlement with him.
[written in side margin on page 1:]
We think we shall go into winter quarters soon. And if Sherman is successful and
negotiations are opened this Winter we shall have no more fighting to do.
H.E.E.
D.K.E.
[written in the top margin on page 1:]
Please write soon and send me the money
and a few bags. from you ever loving
son Hervey

[The above letter is accompanied with an envelope addressed to:
Mrs. Emily E. Goodrich
Fayetteville
Onon. Co.
N.Y.

the letter is postmarked Dec. 8, Washington, D. C.

1864 November 9 Camp near Harper's Ferry

Dearest Mother
We left Camp Stoneman Sunday morning instead
of Saturday. rode through
Washington and made by night
twenty one miles: we saddled
up early in the morning and
rode all day in the rain
and brought u by night
a mile and a half from
Frederick City we made
twenty nine miles that day,
yesterday we came here
within four miles of the
Ferry, about twenty five miles
we are laying W here to day
[p.2]
to get our horses shod and
recruit up generally; also to get
rations and forage. It has rained
two days and is quite threatening
to day. It has been quite a hard
ride, some of the boys, and quite
a number of horses have given
out. I have felt Just old
gay all the time. I never
enjoyed better health. I will
ride all day, and never
get off my horse once,
eat my hard tack and pork,
lay down at night and sleep
like a log. I grow fatter and
still more fat. my cheecks
stick out like a squirrels
chops full of nuts, and best
of all I don't get the blues.
tomorrow morn. at day
[p.3.]
break, we start for the Valley.
There are five hundred of us,
and we are well prepared for
the Johnnies if they see fit to
show themselves. I cant write
more now as I've got to
issue four days rations of
forage. write soon and don't
fear that I will not be well
cared for. I tent with Jessie
Barnes, a cousin of John
Morse's wife. he and I make it
go first rate. Addison Cunningham
is feeling quite tired from his ride
but I guess he will come out all
right. your loving son
Hervey
Direct
Com. H. 2nd N.Y.V. Cav.
Washington D.C.
[written in side margin on page 2]
Don't direct to Camp Stoneman any more.

1864 November 4 Camp Stoneman

Dearest Mother
Your last with Ira's
enclosed was duly recd. I should
have written the latter part of the
week, had it not been that we
were receiving our horses; and as
their numbers increased so did my
duties as Qr. Mastr. Srgt. I have to
deal out hay and oats twice a day
to 86 horses. Besides seeing them
watered twice. I also have to drill
and cook my rations. The total of
which pretty nearly takes up my
time. I was very much pleased
to hear from Ira. He must write
to me often. I would write a
special letter if I had time. he
wanted to know about my horse.
he is a splendid fellow a large
and well-built bay, with two
[p.2]
black and two white feet, and a
white face. I rode him to day to
try him, he goes very easy, and
carries his head and tail just old
gay. he is a proud horse, and
I am proud of him -- but enough of
him, only tell Ira to send me
a name for him. We have
been preparing a good while,
and have now got a good
ready, we start for the front
tomorrow morning at 8 A.M. we
go to join our regt. which is
in the Valley. by the way of
Harpers Ferry. we intend to
reach the latter place in three
days. it is about 75 miles distant.
this P.M. I drew and issued
three days rations of oats to the
men. from the Ferry we go down
the valley. our regt. is there, and
is fourteen hundred strong. A good
many of the men that are in
[p.3.]
the hospital have been getting furlows
to go home and vote. and i am
sorry to say that we fear that
some of our men have got sick
on that account, and have thus
played out. I am glad to say
that I have no desire to go home
in such a manner. For
I'll never desert our banner
till in honor I can come."
It is getting most time for taps to
sound when I must put out
my candlel. do not worry about
me. for I shall take the best
care of myself, and put my
trust in a kind Providence. I
don't think we shall see any
fight this Fall, and if Old Abe.
goes in. (and we all think he will)
perhaps not at all. Excuse these
hastily written lines. write very
often. Your affect. son Hervey
Direct hereafter Com. H. 2nd N.Y. Cav.
Washington D.C.
[written in side margin on p. 2]
By directing to Washington
it will be sent at once to our regt. H.E.E.

An almost exact quote from George W. Root's popular song from 1862 "Just before the battle Mother" Root's words were "But I'll never leave our banner till in honor I can come."

1864 October 10 Camp Stoneman

Dearest Mother
the last time you
heard from me I was at Camp
Chemung, Elmira.
We were paid last Wednesday
our state bounty. $33.00 and at 6 P.M.
we left the city of muc and bugs
for Dixie; we rode all night
through the wildest and most romantic
part of Pa. where there were very
high mountains and deep gorges; we
were all very much disappointed, since
it was impossible to see anything,
we arrived at Williamsport Just at
break of day; from there to Harrisburg
the capitol of the State, we rode
continually on the banks of the broad
Susquehanna, a distance of about 75
miles, when we first met it, it was
but a moderate stream, but when
[p.2]
we left it below Harrisburg it was over
1 1/2 miles broad. The ride was a

delightful one, replete in splendid
scenery and fine views: we arrived
at Baltimore about 9 oclock the next
eve. There we remained in the cars
all night, in the morning we
marched to the southern depot. I
was continually thinking of the reception
the Baltimorians gave the 6th
Mass three years ago.
the monument is huge, it
greatly exceeded my expectations.
The city is the most beautiful I
ever saw, it is built exclusively
of brick and stone. Arrived at the
depot, we were served to a very
fine breakfast at the Soldier's
Reception Rooms; we remained
in the city till noon. I got leave
of the Major to ramble a little.
The commissary and I went up to
Federal Hill, where there is a
[p. 3]
fort mounting 41 guns, it was from
this hill that Maj. Gen. Butler held
the city at the beginning of the war.
While in the city two or three
of our men were poisoned, and one
poor Wisconsin Volunteer laid himself
down to die in the street, from the
effects of poison rec'd. from traitorous
hands. From Baltimore to Washington
the ride was most beautiful, constantly
we saw the depredation committed
by the Rebs, last June, several fine
viaducts were being built. The former
ones being blown up. We arrived in
Washington at 3 P.M., the dome of the
capitol was in plain view over
Nine miles from the city. We were
marched to the Soldier's Rest, where
we obtained a supper of slops &
bread, then we took up our duds
and went directly by the capitol,
the great center of Legislation.
The building is massive as well
[p. 4]
magnificent. The right wing
is not yet completed, and I
believe the frescoing is yet to be
finished. From Washington we came
up here to Camp Stoneman a distance
of seven miles. After two days in ess-
cort riding, and with scarcely any
sleep for two nights such a tramp
was very fatigueing. And then we
had to lay on mother earth all
night, with no covering but our
blankets. It was rather tough for
us raw boys, a hard beginning, but
we put on a good face. We are
in our tents now and have begun
drilling, we were at it three hours
to day. My health never was better.
I guess you would laugh to see
Addison C. and I who are mess-mates
get a meal of victuals; port now is
quite luxury, since it bread & coffee is
all we get. I think I am growing fat
already. Now, Mother do not worry
about me, for I am getting along
[written in left margin on p. 4]
all right, it is most supper time. Ad. is making the coffee and my sheet is full
[written in top margin on p. 4]
So good bye Your affect son Hervey
[written in side & top margin on p. 1]
I have written several times to James & you, but have not rec'd.
anything yet. Now do write direct
Sergt. H.E. Eaton Com H 2nd
N.Y.S. Vols. Camp Stoneman
Washington, D.C.

Benjamin Franklin Butler (1818-1893) His unautorized pre-emptory occupation of Baltimore in May of 1861 led to his dismissal by Winfield Scott and a few days later to his promotion to Major General by Abraham Lincoln.

1864 October 4th, Elmira Barracks No. 1

Dear Mother

I very gladly
embrace this opportunity to write
you a few lines.  I will send
this by Jennie, and will by this
means get her over to tell you
all about us here, and how
we are progressing.  Jennie will
bring to you the key to my
satchel which I expressed home
the other day,  it will come by
express as far as Bremlins [?] Station,
it will probably be left at Hodges,
by the stage driver.  Please send
down for it, pay for it and I will
make it all right with you:
put the clothes where they will


p.2
be kept all right, perhaps I will
come back again sometime to use
them, but if it is destined othewise
give them to some one's boy, who
has gone to the war.

Jennie tells me that you are
quite low -spirited. I  ^'am' very sorry to hear
it.  I hope you will keep up your
spirits, remember it is only for one
year; I have been in the best of
health thus far, and haven't been
lonesome at all.  I suppose it is
because I have been a good deal
priviledged, I have got passes from
the officers every day to go down
town, which has broke the monotony
of camp life.  There is a camp of
12000 rebel Prisoners here.  I
was up to see them the other
day.  They are a ragged set of fellows. They tell me that about
30 die daily; it is too much of
a story to believe.  Last eve,
[p.3]
Major Birdseye came back from
Albany.  He brought with him John
Morse's wife, Nat Ecker, Marcia
Watch, Jennie Bursit [?] Hand also
came with his intended.  I procured a
pass and went down, and had a
fine visit with them.  Dr. Loomis &
Lady and Mr. Shoemaker are here
also.  Gov. Seymour has sent Gen.
Stoneman here to adjust the
difficulty between the officers, he is
all sound and we think it will
be all right.  I have got my stripes
and chevrons on and am the
Quarter Master Sergt. of Co. H, 2nd
N.Y. Cav.  Cameron pubically
withdrew again before all the boys
and officers  he is going to draw
a private's univorm, and go in with
us.  he says he was disgusted with
the other copperhead officers.  Please
excuse this as the boys are quite
noisy.  From Your Affect. Son
Hervey.
[written in side margin on page 3:]
I will write to you when we get at Washington.  We shall
go today or tomorrow. H.E.E.

Elmira Prison established in five months previously in  May, 1864, for enlisted men. Facilities were vastly inadequate...Death rate was around 5 per cent a month.  Boatner, Civil War Dictionary.

Governor Horatio Seymour (1810-1886), a leading Democrat nationally; ran against U.S. Grant for the presidency in 1868. 

Major General George Stoneman (1822-1894)  The West Point roommate of Stonewall Jackson, later famous for raids in Virginia and North Carolina including one in which he freed 1400 Union prisoners held at Salisbury.

1864 September 30, U.S. Mustering & Disbursing Office, Elmira, N.Y.

Dearest Mother

We arrived here safe and
sound about 4 P.M. of Wednesday, we were
marched directly to Barracks No. 1 where we
went into quarters. We met continually on our
route to the Barracks with squads of Veterans,
who greeted us with the usual Plaudit given
to Greenies, Viz "Fresh Fish." How are you
Fresh Fish? &c. &c. Our journey was very
pleasant, although it rained a share of the
time; we started from Syracuse on the Bimhampton
R.R. about 8 A.M. I was quite disappointed
with what I saw of Homer and Courtland--
after a very fast ride of four hours we
arrived at Bimhampton at 12 A.M. There we
changed cars for Elmira on the Eve Road.
I also met there two young ladies from
[p.2.]

Hamilton, the Misses Rhodes. they were going
up to Elmira to visit their brother who is head
clerk at the Adjt. Gen. Office; instead of riding
with boys I procured a seat next to theirs. I
had a splendid visit with them, we rode on
the banks of the Chenango and Susquehanna Rivers
occasionally crossing them on high Iron bridges,
we had the residence of Daniel S. Dickerson
pointed out to us, on the whole we had
a very agreeable ride, but when we had
to take our heavy satchels and march over a mile
to quarters it seemed something more then a
pleasure trip, and a little like Soldering.

Our quarters here are a little bit
better than I expected and but a little. I haven't
seen any lice or bed-bugs yet, but the other
night one of boys said he saw one crawling up
a rafter with U.S. marked on his back and
[p.3.]
a ringbone on his leg. I haven't been to the
Mess House yet. I went out with the com. to
get our breakfast there, on the morning after we
arrived but just before we got in Major Birdseye
came from town and detailed Addison and I, to go
with him to the mustering office, to help him
make out the mustering roll, he got us our
breakfast at the hotell, we wrote most of the day.
I went over to the Head Quarters of this
department yesterday and there met two boys from
Hamilton, one seems a D,K.E. and was the Adjts. Gen.
clerk, he gave me an introduction to the Adj.
General, he is a D.K.E. also. They both thought they
would confer a favor on me by detailing me
in the office as a clerk, and so they made out
the papers and I was detailed to stay here,
perhaps all Winter or the whole year. They were
made out before I hardly knew what they were
[p.4.]
about, I found out by investigating the business
that although it would be a very safe position,
I would only have the pay of a private and
hence would be constantly running behind h____.
I would be money out of pocket, and besides, I might
be sent to my Regt. at any moment. I thought
on the whole I would rather go on with the boys.
It will not be at all difficult to get it staved off.
The other corps of officers are here, laying around the
hotels, with their uniforms on; as soon as we arrived
here the U.S. Mustering Officer took a vote of the
Batallion as to their comdg. officers, we all to a
man voted for the old ones of course. The Mustering
Officer said by a new act, that they would be
our officers. I hear to-day that the coperheads
are trying to compromise. That shows they are
shaking in their boots. I am detailed by the Maj.
again to-day to make out the pay roll, it will
take a good part of the day, it is much nicer here
than at Quarters. I don't think we will get off
before Monday. Although it has been rainy
and cold the boys keep up their spirits very well.
I will write again soon, from you affect. son
Hervey

Major Mortimer B. Birdseye
Sgt. Addison J. Cole, Co. H, 2nd New York Cavalry